Most common 2014 BMW 535i problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 535i complaints by model year
Best 535i years: 2016, 2015, 2014. Years to avoid: 2011, 2008, 2009. Compare all years →
2014 BMW 535i recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe…
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior lighting
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2014 BMW 535i:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2014 BMW 535i owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the engine cooling fan was running at abnormal high speed upon starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, and the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with defective water pump and water pump electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an undisclosed recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535i. The contact stated that after receiving the vehicle back from the dealer after a collision repair, the steering wheel seized while driving. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a faulty oil gasket damaged the serpentine belt, causing an oil leak. The dealer informed the contact that the serpentine belt and drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the engine cooling fan was running at abnormal high speed upon starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, and the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with defective water pump and water pump electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an undisclosed recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Possible PCV malfunction. Intense plastic burning smell, smoke coming from front ac vents. Dealer unable to replicate issue, valve cover replaced under warranty. Issue persists. 2 Vehicle inspections at same bmw dealer, were unable to identify burnt battery PCM as well. Occasional check engine light, gone after vehicle restart. Under hard acceleration burning plastic smell intensifies.
Body & structure
The huge reflection of the dashboard speaker and headup display instrument on the middle of the driver windshield field of view , is covering more that 60% of the driver field of view, which create an very unsafe driving mode . The driver field of view is covered more that 60% of the reflection of the car manufacturer added instruments. The disturbing driving mode was reported to BMW USA and BMW dealer . The registration of the unsafe 2014 BMW have been canceled and the car returned to BMW dealer.
The driver's side door will not open with the door handle. The door lock was jammed into the locked position and would not unlock without actuating the electric door unlock system. The door could not be unlocked manually. This has happened several times intermittently. This was reported to the dealer and they informed me this instance has occurred several times to other BMW vehicles.
2014 BMW 535i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 20 / 30 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 BMW 535i a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 535i rates better than average: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 535i at the same age. It is one of the best 535i years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 BMW 535i?
The engine & cooling — 11 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (8) and body & structure (4).
How many recalls does the 2014 BMW 535i have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2014 BMW 535i, the most recent from July 11, 2024 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 535i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2015 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2008 and 2009. See the full BMW 535i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2014 BMW 535i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 36,000 miles; 61% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.